Measure Age Groups

Least Perception of Harm Associated with Having Five or More Drinks of an Alcoholic Beverage Once or Twice a Week

12+, 18-25, 26+

Illicit Drug Abuse or Dependence

18-25, 26+

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues At-A-Glance

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Based on the measures reflected in the chart above, per the National Survey on Drug Use and Health’s (NSDUH) final 2006 estimates, North Dakota has ranked among the lowest states. Still, with drug abuse and alcohol dependency so rampant in virtually all of the United States, steps have been taken in North Dakota to assist in treating individuals suffering from these dependencies and addictions.

The 2006 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (NSSATS) survey cites that the number of treatment facilities in North Dakota increased from 47 in 2002 to 65 in 2006. This increase is mainly due to an addition of 12 private nonprofit facilities, and 4 state-ran facilities. In 2006, 22 of the total number of facilities were private nonprofit; 25 private were for-profit; and 3 were owned or ran by tribal authorities.

North Dakota has seen a rise in its number of treatment admissions for meth addiction. Many of North Dakota’s facilities are designed to offer a variation of services, including outpatient care for patients suffering from a dependency on meth and several other illegal drugs. In 2006, 60 of North Dakota’s facilities offered outpatient care, 23 facilities offered residential care, and 7 physicians and 4 treatment programs offered buprenorphine treatment for opiate addiction. Additionally, North Dakota had a one-day client total census of 2,301, with 1,837 being in outpatient treatment. Outpatient is most common form of treatment offered at these facilities, as most treatment methods can be administered to the patient outside the facility, so long as he checks in regularly. Furthermore, included in these services are drug detox programs to assist the addict in the withdrawal process.

Over the last 15 years, North Dakota has seen a steady decrease in the number of treatment admissions for alcohol, and an increase in treatment admissions for marijuana and methamphetamine. Where alcohol-only admissions decreased from 57 percent in 1992, to just over 31 percent in 2006, drug-only admissions increased from 1.6 percent in 1992 to 20 percent in 2006.

North Dakota’s statistics for individuals needing but not receiving drug-only treatment have been among the lowest in the country since 2002. Conversely, the rates of individuals needing but not receiving alcohol treatment have been among the highest in the country.

For individuals age 18 and older in North Dakota, the rate for serious psychological distress has been the same as the national rate. However, the major depressive episodes (MDE) rates for individuals age 18 to 25 were among the highest in the country.

If addicted to drugs and/or alcohol, help is available. The delay or refusal of acceptance eventually leads to heartache–one that could have been avoided.